A great smartphone doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Years of commoditization have meant that features once reserved for high-end devices, such as large batteries, multi-camera arrays, and high refresh rate displays, are now available in more affordable devices. There are still some things you can only find on flagship smartphones, but if you want to find the best product at a lower price, you don’t have to compromise so much anymore. If your budget is under $600, we can help you decide which features to prioritize when finding the best mid-range smartphone.
What exactly is a midrange phone?
Although the term appears frequently in articles and videos, there is no agreed-upon definition of “midrange” beyond a cell phone that is not a flagship or entry-level option. Most of our recommendations for the best mid-range smartphones are between $400 and $600, so if you’re looking for less, you’ll have to be prepared to make significant compromises. However, if you have a higher budget, you should consider flagship models such as the Apple iPhone 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Things to consider before buying a mid-range smartphone
Buying a new device can be scary, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First, which platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, your choices narrow down to one phone. (Thankfully, this is a great thing.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of appealing options. Both platforms have their advantages, so there is no need to exclude one over the other.
Of course, also consider how much money you can spend. You can get a dramatically better product by adding just an extra $100 to your budget. Manufacturers also tend to support more expensive devices for longer periods of time. It’s definitely worth buying something towards the upper end of what you can afford.
Knowing your priorities will help you create a budget. Do you need long battery life or fast charging speeds? Do you value speedy performance above all else? Or do you want the best camera possible? Although they keep getting better every year, the best mid-range smartphones However, some compromise is still necessary, and knowing what’s important to you will make your choices easier.
Finally, pay attention to wireless band and network compatibility. If you don’t want to worry about that, your best bet is to buy directly from your carrier. To make things easy, all the phones we recommend are compatible with all major US wireless providers and can be purchased unlocked.
What can you not get in a mid-range smartphone?
The line between mid-range and flagship smartphones has become blurred over the years, as more premium features and specs trickle down to more affordable models. When we first published this guide in 2020, it was difficult to find $500 devices that were waterproof or had 5G. Now, the biggest thing you might be missing out on is wireless charging. Don’t forget to budget for power adapters as well. Many companies are no longer shipping chargers with their smartphones. Although performance has improved in recent years, most midrange phones can still be hit or miss, as they use slow processors that can struggle to multitask. Thankfully, the company’s cameras have improved dramatically, and you can usually expect at least a dual-lens system on most mid-range smartphones under $600.
Best midrange smartphones of 2024
Photo by Sam Rutherford/Engadget
Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM card type: Nano-SIM, eSIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: Main 64MP, Ultrawide 13MP | Weight: 6.6 oz
Read the full Google Pixel 8a review
Google’s A-series Pixel has long been one of the best mid-range smartphones on the market. But with the addition of the Tensor G3 chip, the Pixel 8a supports the same powerful and versatile AI features as Google’s flagship smartphones, along with a superior camera, gorgeous 120Hz OLED display, and excellent battery life. The device also has nice features like IP67 dust and water resistance and convenient (but slow) 7.5-watt Qi wireless charging. But most importantly, it starts at $499. This could be one of the best deals on the market.
Pros Colorful 120Hz OLED display Long battery life Great camera Great price Cons Slow wireless charging Thick bezels $399 on Amazon
Photo by Billy Steele/Engadget
Read the full iPhone 15 review
Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: up to 512GB | SIM card type: Dual eSIM | Front camera resolution: 12MP | Rear camera resolution: 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.02 oz
Our last pick was the iPhone 13, but that model is no longer sold by Apple. Now, if you’re looking to save a little (a little) money and get an iPhone, your best option is the iPhone 15. Yes, the iPhone 14 is still in the lineup, but it relies on Lightning. Port for wired charging. It is now 2024. We recommend including a USB-C port on your next smartphone, no matter how much you spend.
In our review of the iPhone 15, we called it “the most significant regular iPhone update in years.” While the overall design and display were familiar, the biggest upgrade was the introduction of the camera array and dynamic island. It has a 48-megapixel main shooter with a quad-pixel sensor to help you take better shots in dim lighting. You can also apply Portrait mode settings after taking a photo with this system, rather than selecting Portrait mode before taking the photo. Photos taken with the iPhone 15 show a noticeable improvement compared to photos taken with the iPhone 14, especially in low-light conditions, and you get a better camera system overall. As for Dynamic Islands, it’s a feature carried over from the pro-level iPhone, and it really comes in handy here.
The iPhone 15 is powered by Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset, and performance is as expected and stable with very few instances of increased operating temperatures during daily use. The smartphone features Apple’s signature “all-day” battery life, and tests showed it lasted a bit longer than that. I understand that $700 isn’t exactly a “mid-range” price, but the iPhone 14 and iPhone SE cost $600 and $429, respectively, and there are too many compromises to get value for money. I think it’s too much. If you’re determined to get an iPhone but want to spend as little as possible, you’ll be grateful you spent the extra money on the iPhone 15 in the future. — Valentina Palladino, Associate Editor
Pros Upgraded camera Solid performance Dynamic island is convenient USB-C charging Cons Overall design is outdated No high refresh rate display USB-C is limited Colors are underwhelming $700 at Apple
samsung
Screen size: 6.6 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 5MP macro | Weight: 7.5 oz
One of our previous top picks, the Samsung A35 5G has one of the best displays on a smartphone under $500. It features a 6.6-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and Samsung’s Vision Booster technology, which adjusts the display’s tone mapping based on the lighting in your environment.
Other great features of this Samsung phone include a versatile camera system and a 5,000mAh battery. The triple rear array includes a 50MP main shooter, 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and 5MP macro camera, and the battery supports 25W ultra-fast charging.
A35 5G is powered by Exynos 1380 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. You won’t expect it to perform as well as the top pick in this guide, but it should be able to handle most tasks just fine. Samsung has also included a microSD card slot in this device, so you can expand the storage if needed.
Pros 120Hz screen with vision booster 5,000mAh battery supporting 25W charging Expandable storage with microSD card slot Cons Runs on Exynos processor $325 on Amazon
one plus
Screen size: 6.72 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 16MP | Rear camera resolution: 108MP main, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz
When it first launched, the Nord N30 had basically everything you could want in a $300 phone. The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers strong performance along with fast wireless connectivity that’s compatible with all major carriers in the US, not to mention great specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a large 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is unusual for budget phones, as most rivals have slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. You can also recharge it quickly thanks to 50 watts of wired charging. But most importantly, the Nord 30 was recently reduced in price from $300 to $250. This is definitely a bargain and our top pick in this area.
Pros Great performance for the price 120Hz display 50W wired charging $305 on Amazon
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